University Vice-Chancellor announces retirement

The University of Teesside’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Derek Fraser, has announced his decision to retire with effect from 31 March 2003. Professor Fraser, 61, was appointed as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Teesside in September 1992. His forty-year career includes a range of educational posts, including secondary school teacher, Professor of History, Inspector of Schools, senior civil servant and Deputy Principal of Sheffield City Polytechnic.

He has also held a variety of external positions. For eight years Professor Fraser was on the board of the Tees Valley Training and Enterprise Council and has also served as a board member of the North-East Regional Development Agency ONE NorthEast. In addition, Professor Fraser has chaired several bodies, including the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC). He currently chairs the DfES (Department for Education & Skills) National Steering Group on Graduate Apprenticeships and in 2001 was appointed as inaugural Chairman of the Independent Football Commission.

Professor Fraser is an eminent historian, and has written several texts, including The Evolution of the British Welfare State, Power & Authority in the Victorian City and most recently, The Welfare State.

Since Professor Fraser took his post as Vice-Chancellor in 1992, student numbers at the University have doubled from 8,000 to over 16,000. Over £50m has also been spent during the last decade to develop the University’s single-site campus. These developments include an £11m Learning Resource Centre, an £8m School of Health Building, an Innovation and Virtual Reality Centre and a Centre for Enterprise.

Professor Derek Fraser said: “The decision to retire has been an extremely difficult one. I have had ten years of wonderful support from students, staff and governors of the University and from a range of regional partners. I believe there is a radically changing agenda which makes it appropriate for there to be a change in the leadership of the University.”

Mr John Hackney, Chairman of the University of Teesside’s Governors said: “Derek Fraser has made an immense contribution to the University of Teesside and to the Tees Valley. He has led the transformation of the University in the breadth of our academic provision, in the increase in our student numbers and in the redevelopment of our campus. His legacy is a successful, thriving modern University and I know that he has the best wishes, not just of the University community but also of the region.”

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